Building science technics are improving High School shop

Audree Grubesic published this post on Nov. 6, 2022. It is a 1-minute read.

Main topic

Matt Blomquist, a high school teacher in Taylorville, Illinois, is changing how shop class teaches construction. He says construction is not only about building. It is also about understanding energy performance and the science behind it.

What students are learning

• Thermal transfer
• How energy is measured
• Why air tightness in the building envelope matters
• Better building practices

Teaching approach

Blomquist says students already learn these technics in math class. The goal is to translate that information into building applications.

The post says this approach is evolving shop class curriculum toward science, comfort, livability, and measuring energy. It also says students want to understand more than how to use their hands. They want to use their minds.

Key facts